Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?

Subject: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 07:19 PM

The film Inside Llewin Davis starts with a song called Hang Me. I found myself singing it today, and I realised it was very close to a song Going Up Blue Ridge Mountain that English folksinger Derek Brimstone used to sing round our folk clubs.

Derek did it with banjo accompaniment, and I seem to remember him saying he got it off a recording by Frank Proffit (he of fretless banjo fame).

I expect stateside you have a lot of things to say about your song -I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 07:49 PM

Well, here's what's been said previously, in decreasing order of number of posts...

Lyr Req: Been All Around This World (Grateful Dead
Lyr Req: Hang Me
Origins: Hang Me, Oh, Hang Me (Deep Dark Woods)

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: Ernest
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 01:43 AM

That song sticks in mind, doesn`t it? I found myself humming that one afterwards too, looked up lyrics and chords a day or two later and played it the next day (with the addition of two mor verses from a different source)....

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 05:46 AM

Are you thinking of Going Across The Mountain, which is about a man from the Southern Appalachians who joins the northern army in the American civil war? If so it used to be available on Topic 12T 162; Frank Proffitt, North Carolina Songs and Ballads, and is probably still available on CD through Folk Legacy.

The same song appears on Nothing Seems Better to Me; The Music of Frank Proffitt and North Carolina. The Warner Collection vol 2. Appleseed APR CD 1036.

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 06:53 AM

Bloody hell. I've done it again. The Guest above was me.

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 07:29 AM

thanks DD. I am humbled by the scholarship and diversity of various singers who have sang and researched this song, that I have come lately to.

strange that the horror and a repulsion expressed the song has not resulted in capital punishment being got rid of in America.

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: Severn
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 11:04 AM

Mike Seeger recorded it on his Vanguard LP (VRS/VSD 79150) and the Highwoods String Band performed it live, I'm not sure if they recorded it.

D. K. Wilgus (UCLA Center for the Study of Comparative Folklore and Mythology) in his notes for the Mike Seeger album States:

"Less known, but as mysterious is the blues ballad "I've Been All Around This World". This defiant confession is said to have arisen in the Ozarks (though it utilizes some British elements) and to concern a murderer hanged in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in the 1870's. But the song seems to be widely known in hobo tradition and the "Blue Ridge Mountains" occurs elsewhere as well as in this text (from Grandpa Jones, King 524,
; 1946). If there is a "Bluestone Mountain" (which occurs in the Ozark form) in Arkansas, I have been unable to locate it."

I hope this is scholarly and academic enough for you all.......

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 09:41 PM

just got the dvd and found the additional film about the making of the movie very interesting.

the film itself certainly is worth a second viewing.

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Mar 14 - 04:04 PM

I just ordered the DVD -- specifically for the extra material on it.

I also ordered the Phil Ochs documentary.

Linn

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 29 Mar 14 - 04:10 PM

Back in the 60s, I had the Dave Van Ronk album that featured "Dink's Song".
My copy of the album went awol years ago.
On hearing Dave's version on Youtube, I'm amazed how different it sounds!
The recording hasn't changed, of course, but, by gum, haven't my ears!

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 30 Mar 14 - 05:45 AM

I don't like the rendition of "Shoals of Herring".
That song usually stirs something inside me, but not on this occasion.

Subject: RE: Song from Llewin Davis - discussion?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Mar 14 - 06:50 AM

no its not much cop ,is it?
MacColl's beautiful intro/steal from Henry V is missing - the wide and wasteful ocean - with all those grace notes that English singers always add.

still live and let live - these are Yanks....